“Terrific.”

To the snake pit.

As they walk, Richard explains that Loxley is often away on business in the city, and prefers to spend nights there, when he can. Loxley has a strong sense of right and wrong. Loxley has a very hands on approach to problem-solving. Once Loxley flipped onto a marauding werewolf’s shoulders and placed a crown on its head that suppressed the curse long enough for them to avoid slaying it.

Richard has a lot to say about Loxley.

Their shared quarters are unremarkable by contrast. It is a place where two men sleep, sparsely furnished and decorated as temporary residence often are, despite their having been here for nearly a full year. There are two cots pushed to opposite walls, each with a trunk at the foot. One has a book halfway under it. There is a table with two chairs and two bottles of wine, one of which looks expensive. And there is a small desk, where more books live, including the one Richard told Wysteria he would take back to the library.

It smells very faintly of elfroot smoke. It is also currently quite dark, apart from light cutting in from the hallway.

That’s it.

He holds the door open for her.

“How long has it been since you arrived in Thedas?”